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Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, serving the 24th District Serving Clallam, Jefferson, and parts of Grays Harbor Counties. |
Statement by Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) on Monday’s response tug assist in the Strait of Juan de Fuca
March 9, 2009
“Last week, the House passed my bill that would provide a permanent, year-round response tug funded by industry and stationed at Neah Bay.
"Those opposed to the bill claim that the risk of a catastrophic fuel spill in our waterways is so small, it does not justify asking industry to pick up the tab for a full-time tug. However, Monday’s incident in the Strait of Juan de Fuca only underscores the need for a 24-hour response vessel.
"Eighteen years ago, a fuel spill of 100,000 gallons off Cape Flattery fouled shoreline from British Columbia to Oregon. By contrast, the vessel needing assistance on Monday had a fuel capacity of over 474,000 gallons. A spill of that size would not only devastate our marine environment, but our economy as well.
" I am glad that today’s incident ended uneventfully, and that Washington
is close to having year-round protection from oil spills.”